Marshall Hatchick Premier Division clash worth watching (From Gazette)

Marshall Hatchick Premier Division clash worth watching

2:01pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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WIVENHOE skipper Oliver Morgan is backing his side to ‘rise to the occasion’ when they lock horns with fellow premier division strugglers Witham.

The sides currently occupy the bottom two places with one win apiece.

Wivenhoe are second from bottom with an average of 8.50 while basement boys Witham have one of 8.00.

It promises to be a tight, tense affair but Morgan is backing his troops to come out on top at Rectory Road.

“We’re optimistic,” he told the Gazette.

“I’m sure we’ll rise to the occasion and it’s a crucial match, in the context of the situation at the bottom of the table.

“It could make all the difference between one side being relegated and one side staying up, so there’s everything to play for.”

Morgan admits this season has been ‘a bit of a struggle’.

But he believes his side are building for the future and said: “We’ve got a very young side and we’re trying to develop lads for the future.

“We’re giving them a go and, although there’s been a couple of occasions when inexperience has been our downfall, we’re definitely making progress.”

Elsewhere, Clacton will be keen to bounce back and move further clear at the premier division summit.

The Seasiders have experienced a bit of a wobble, in terms of their recent form, and go to Coggeshall on Sunday.

Coastal rivals Frinton, breathing down their necks in second, entertain Copdock while third-placed Copford entertain third-from-bottom Maldon.

Mistley, having only played eight games, face a trip to the side one place below them – Colchester – at Castle Park.

In division one, Abberton will be hoping to continue their push for promotion when they play a double-header this weekend.

The men from The Brow travel to Ardleigh tomorrow and then St Osyth on Sunday.

Aside from winning, they will also hope nearest challengers Kelvedon come unstuck at home to promotion-chasing Eight Ash Green. Elsewhere, bottom two Bocking and Galleywood meet at Church Street, struggling Great Bromley and Halstead also do battle and West Mersea entertain Ardleigh.

In division two, two of the big guns go head-to-head when second-placed Cavaliers entertain Boxted.

Little Bardfield Village and Clacton Ramblers, both with promotion aspirations of their own, meet at Church End while at the other end of the table basement boys Colchester go to Earls Colne.

Second-from-bottom Gosfield visit Great Bentley.